“… and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:20b
After Jesus resurrected, He revealed Himself many times to His disciples. In Matthew, Jesus appeared to the women who had been at the empty tomb. In Mark, Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene. “11. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen” (Mark 16:11-14). Not only did Jesus appear to the women, but two walking along the road, and then the eleven disciples. Initially, they did not believe Jesus could be alive. Notice Jesus “upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart” because they did not believe He was alive. Apparently, they did not understand that they would see Him again: alive.
When Jesus appeared to people after His resurrection, they did not expect to see Him. He always knew where they were, what they were doing, and even the conversations that were being had. They were always surprised to see Jesus. For the forty days that Jesus showed Himself alive after His resurrection, I think He wanted the Believers to understand something: He would be with them always. Even when they did not know He was there, Jesus would be with them. When they had conversations in private, Jesus would be with them. When they did not understand what was happening at that time, Jesus showed Himself to them and helped them understand.
Before Jesus went to the cross, He encouraged His disciples. He promised them they would not be alone. “16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:16-18). Although Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit that would come, He wanted them to understand that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were One, and that when the Spirit came, Jesus would be with them. During the days that Jesus appeared suddenly and talked with His followers, I think He was trying to help them understand that even when they did not realize it, Jesus was there with them. He would then reveal Himself physically to them to help them understand. Soon, He would return to heaven and leave them with the Spirit. But Jesus would still be there with them. This, He wanted them to recognize this.
Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He left his followers with these words: “…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.Amen.” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus promised that He would be with them always. The same is true for all Believers (Christians) today.
Paul understood this principle. Remember what he wrote to Timothy after he had to stand before rulers: “16. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). When no one else stood with Paul, he understood that the Lord (Jesus) stood with him. He was not alone.
My grandparents had a plaque hung in their house. It said:
“Christ is the Head of this house
The unseen Guest at every meal
The silent listener to every conversation.”
This was always a constant reminder: Jesus is always there whether one acknowledges His presence or not. If Believers (Christians) would keep this in the forefront of their mind, it would not only encourage us greatly, but be a great reminder to behave Christ-like at all times.
Do you, as a Believer, understand that Jesus is the unseen Guest, with you always?
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